A POPULAR Birmingham sign fitter who hanged himself was plagued by financial and relationship worries, an inquest heard.

Karl Youster, aged 33, was found dead by his partner Louise Jones in the garden of their home in Walmley, Sutton Coldfield.

The court head Mr Youster had been out drinking with Ms Jones the previous night and had confessed his concerns about money and their two-and-a-half year relationship. Hours before he took his life, early on June 13, Mr Youster sent Ms Jones a text message after she had gone to bed saying he loved her, to which she replied.

During the inquest, Ms Jones read from a statement which she had submitted to the police. She said: “His (Karl’s) business had not been doing too well and he used savings to pay some bills. He also felt we had been drifting apart. The conversation turned to the death of a close friend and feelings of us drifting apart. I sensed things were going to take a turn for the worst.”

Ms Jones said Mr Youster had suffered from depression when younger and had received counselling while pathologist Dr Adrian Yoong, who performed the post-mortem examination, said a high level of alcohol was found in his blood but not enough to cause alcohol poisoning.

Assistant deputy coroner Michael Snell said: “I’m satisfied beyond reasonable doubt that he did intend to take his own life.”